PLANNING a UK city break can be a right headache when you’re skint and short on time – but one must-do activity lets you see a lot without spending a penny.

Recently, my family came to visit me in London and even though I live in the city, I don’t often get the chance to be a tourist.

Stumped on ideas of what to do that pleases everyone but didn’t cost much, I took to Google and stumbled across London Walking Tours by Richard Jones.

On the website, there are a number of free, self-guided walking tours – but what makes them even better is that they aren’t to cliche spots, instead you get to uncover hidden pieces of history.

In fact, there are 22 free walking tours on the site to choose from.

I opted for the Soho self-guided walk, taking about two hours starting from Tottenham Court Road Station.

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The walk takes you around the area showing streets and alleyways frequented by famous figures like Charles Dickens and the Beatles.

One of my favourite things about the tour is that it takes you to places you would have otherwise missed.

For example, it took us down this rather normal-looking road to a house with a blue plaque.

The blue plaque simply stated: “John William Polidori, 1795-1821, poet & novelist, author of ‘The Vampyre’, born and died here”.

I had no clue who this person was, but the tour informed me that Polidori was actually a personal physician to the famous poet Lord Byron – whom he idolised.

Upon showing Byron one of his submissions to Byron’s 1816 writing competition – ‘The Vampyre’ – Polidori was dismissed as having little potential.

Not long after, the New Monthly Magazine had published ‘The Vampyre’ but attributed it to Lord Byron – who denied any involvement.

Polidori wrote to the magazine, but was accused of plagiarism and ended up taking his life.

If you aren’t so much of a history fan though, there are other options that are more themed.

For example, you could spend the day on a magical tour that heads all over London showing you locations that have been featured in the Harry Potter movies.

Or perhaps, you want to add in a fun game?

Then head on the Mayfair to St James Quiz Trail, where, as you explore different places, you have to find the answers to a number of questions and complete photo challenges.

But what if you are on a city break elsewhere?

There are plenty of different sites out there offering free walking tours.

For example, if you are exploring Manchester you could opt for The Ultimate Manchester Free Walking Tour, where you can discover history about the famous Britannia Hotel and stop by the bustling Corn Exchange for some food.

In Birmingham, you could go on a self-guided Discovering Britain walking tour which takes you to the popular spots but shares information you may not know about them.

Lots of councils also have guides on their websites, as well as walking maps.

To get the best search result for the city you want to explore, make sure to search the name of your city along with ‘free self-guided walking tour’.

By doing this, you will get results which are free and also aren’t led by anyone, which means you can do the tour at your own pace and even stop along the way for a cuppa or bite to eat.

One thing I learned from the tour I did, was definitely print the tour if you can before heading off on it.

I had the tour open on my phone, but obviously walking around London, or any other large city for that matter, with your phone constantly in your hand isn’t the best idea…

For more things to do in the UK, here are the best free activities for Brits this week for families, couples and mates.

Plus, the top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed…including six which are totally FREE for the summer holidays.

It is hoped crowds will turn out as the town hopes to make it into the Guinness World Record book for the largest group dance of Kylies’ 1987 hit song – the Loco-Motion.

The town – at one end of the Stockton and Darlington railway, the world’s first passenger route – is hoping to beat the current record of 1,752 people, set in Margam Country Park near Port Talbot, Wales.

The record has stood since June 24, 2007.

Shildon Town Council hopes more than 2,000 people will take part in the world record attempt, which will take place on Thursday, February 26.

The performance is open to anyone who wishes to participate, including schools and local youth groups.

Rehearsals are taking place throughout Shildon this month.

They are being held at:

Jubilee Fields Community Centre, Jubilee Road, Shildon, DL4 2AL

• Friday (February 6) – 4.30pm – 5.30pm
• Friday, February 20 – 4.30pm – 5.30pm

Locomotion Museum, Dale Road, Shildon, DL4 2RE

• Friday (February 6) – 6pm – 7.30pm
• Friday, February 20 – 6pm – 7.30pm

The second man who died during a Christmas Day swim has been named, as tributes were paid to the ‘deeply respected’ teacher

A well-loved PE teacher has been named as the victim of the Christmas Day swim tragedy.

Tom Johnson, 47, died alongside antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 63, after getting into difficulty during a swim in Budleigh Salterton on December 25, 2025. He was a dad of two and a beloved PE teacher, who has been described as an “inspirational teacher and a deeply respected colleague”. Mr Johnson taught at New Hall in Boreham, Essex, and it is believed he lived in Chelmsford.

A GoFundMe was set up to raise money for his wife and children following his tragic death. It said: “He brought energy, kindness, and humour to everything he did, and he will be greatly missed by the New Hall community.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tom’s wife, their two children, and the wider Johnson family at this incredibly difficult time.”

At the time of reporting, over £30,000 has been raised for Mr Johnson’s family.

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The Flying Scotsman, which first entered service in 1923, is setting off on a UK tour.

In 1934, it became the first steam engine to officially reach 100 miles per hour.

And recently, a 94-year-old former fireman on the footplate of Flying Scotsman was reunited with the locomotive for the first time since the 1950s.

Owned by the museum since 2004, No. 60103 will embark on a series of mainline excursions starting in February, visiting heritage railways and making extended stops at both the National Railway Museum and Locomotion in Shildon during the Easter and summer holidays.

In 1934, it became the first steam engine to officially reach 100 miles per hour (Image: Steve Morgan, Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)

Andrew McLean, head curator at the National Railway Museum, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Northern Steam to ensure as many people as possible have a chance to see and be driven by this incredible locomotive.

“It really is an unforgettable experience; whether you are an ardent follower of heritage rail or it is your first ever time aboard a steam train, the experience never gets old.”

The Flying Scotsman will be on display in York from March 28 to April 24, giving visitors the chance to see the locomotive up close.

The Flying Scotsman at Bolton Street Station Bury and the East Lancs Railway line on International on Womens Day (Image: Steve Morgan, Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)

It will also feature at Locomotion’s Summer Festival from August 4 to 31, where visitors can ride behind the engine on selected days along a section of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway line.

Its first mainline excursion of the year will take it to the Midlands in February, in partnership with Vintage Trains, the only charitably-controlled train operating company of the 21st century.

Vintage Trains will offer a variety of experiences, from one-hour return journeys at mainline speeds to fine dining trips.

The Flying Scotsman at London King’s Cross in 1928 (Image: National Railway Museum / Science & Society Picture Libr)

From May 16 to 31, the locomotive will visit the Great Central Railway in Nottingham.

This marks the first time in 25 years that the engine has operated on a heritage railway in the East Midlands.

In June, it will travel to the East Lancashire Railway for both static display (June 3, 4, 10, and 12) and passenger rides (June 5–7 and 13–14).

The Flying Scotsman at Waverley Station Edinburgh for the Centenary Celebrations of the iconic steam locomotive (Image: Steve Morgan, Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)

All dates are subject to change, and visitors are encouraged to check the National Railway Museum website for the latest updates.

Further mainline excursions and heritage railway visits are still being planned, with more details to be released later in the year.

The Flying Scotsman, newly named and painted for the British Empire Exhibition, 1924 (Image: Board of Trustees of the Science Museum)

The Flying Scotsman remains a major draw for railway enthusiasts and visitors.

In 2025, during the National Railway Museum’s 50th anniversary and the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, more than 50,000 visitors attended Locomotion’s Summer Celebration when the locomotive was on display.

Of the almost 40,000 people who visited the National Railway Museum during April, Flying Scotsman’s presence was cited as the number one reason for their visit.

The campus of De Montfort University and roads around it were closed following a “very serious incident”.

The man killed in the incident was a student at De Montfort University, it has been confirmed.

Road closures include Oxford Street, Grange Street and surrounding roads.

A murder investigation is underway after a man is believed to have been stabbed close to Leicester city centre.
The incident happened around 5pm in Oxford Street.
An 18-year-old man has been arrested. https://t.co/w9Y9UeHbf0 pic.twitter.com/EQ8rpveqWX

— Leicestershire Police (@leicspolice) February 4, 2026

Now, the police force has given an update and says a man left the scene before officers arrived; however, an 18-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody.

A man is believed to have been stabbed and collapsed in Oxford Street, close to the junction with Bonners Lane, and he was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later, the force said.

The force added: “From enquiries carried out so far, it is believed the victim was involved in an altercation with another man in the street. That man left the scene prior to police arriving.”

Man in his 20s killed in Leicester was student at De Montfort University

A man in his 20s who died was a student at De Montfort University, the vice chancellor has confirmed.

In a statement, Professor Katie Normington said: “We are devastated to confirm the tragic death of one of our students.

“Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by what has happened. We are offering direct support to students, staff and the family of the victim.

“We are working with Leicestershire Police as they investigate this major incident.

“Thank you for the messages of support we have been receiving from the community of Leicester: it is a city that knows how to stand together in moments like this.”

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “We are currently piecing together exactly what has occurred on the corner of Oxford Street and Bonners Lane between, what is reported, as two men involved in a confrontation.

“One of the men is believed to have been stabbed and has then collapsed in the street. Despite the best efforts of medical staff he died in hospital.

“CCTV in the area is currently being reviewed and officers are speaking to potential witnesses to assist with our investigation.

“We know a lot of people came to the aid of the victim before emergency services arrived and we want to thank them for their help.

“If you were one of these people and you haven’t yet spoken to police, please make contact with us.

“The incident happened at 5pm so we know the area was also busy with motorists driving along Oxford Street.

“If you saw anything or captured footage on dash cam as you drove past the area we would also like to hear from you.

“I appreciate the incident has caused major disruption in the city, with a number of roads closed. We are working to reduce this impact as soon as we can.

“Local officers will be in the area over the coming days carrying out reassurance patrols. If anyone has any concerns, please speak to an officer.”

Granville added that those with any information about the incident can call 101 and quote incident number 495 of February 3.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite rare negotiations between Democrats and President Donald Trump, a bipartisan agreement on new restrictions for federal immigration enforcement in the next two weeks will be exceedingly difficult — or even “an impossibility,” as Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said.

Congress is discussing potential new rules for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection after officers shot and killed two Minneapolis protesters in January. The negotiations come amid some bipartisan sentiment that Congress should step in to de-escalate tensions over the enforcement operations that have rocked Minnesota and other states.

President Donald Trump last week agreed to a Democratic request that funding for the Department of Homeland Security be separated from a larger spending bill and extended at current levels for two weeks while the two parties discuss possible requirements for the federal agents. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said this weekend that he was at the White House when Trump spoke with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and that they were “on the path to get agreement.”

But it’s unclear if the president or enough congressional Republicans will agree to any of the Democrats’ larger demands that the officers unmask and identify themselves, obtain judicial warrants in certain cases and work with local authorities, among other asks. Republicans have already pushed back.

And House GOP lawmakers are demanding that some of their own priorities be added to the Homeland Security spending bill, including legislation that would require proof of citizenship before Americans register to vote. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and other Republican senators are pushing for restrictions on sanctuary cities that they say don’t do enough to crack down on illegal immigration. There’s no clear definition of sanctuary jurisdictions, but the term is generally applied to state and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

It’s also uncertain if Democrats who are furious over the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement operations would be willing to compromise.

“We don’t need promises. We need law,” Schumer said, adding that Democrats would present Republicans with a “serious, detailed proposal” soon.

A look at Democrats’ demands and what Republicans are saying about them:

Agreement on body cameras

Republicans say they are open to officer-worn body cameras, a change that was already in the underlying Homeland Security spending bill. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem backed that up on Monday when she ordered body-worn cameras to be issued to every Homeland Security officer on the ground in Minneapolis, including those from ICE. She said the policy would expand nationwide as funding becomes available.

The bill already directed $20 million to outfit immigration enforcement agents with body-worn cameras.

Gil Kerlikowske, who served as commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection from 2014 to 2017, said that most agents are “very supportive” of cameras because they could help exonerate officers. But he added that complex questions remain, including when footage should be released and when cameras must be activated.

“When do you turn it on? And if you got into a problem and didn’t have it on, are you going to be disciplined? It’s really pretty complex,” he said.

Schumer said Tuesday that the body cameras “need to stay on.”

Disagreement on masking

As videos and photos of aggressive immigration tactics and high-profile shootings circulate nationwide, agents covering their faces with masks has become a flashpoint. Democrats argue that removing the masks would increase accountability. Republicans warn it could expose agents to harassment and threats.

“State law enforcement, local folks don’t do it,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the Committee for Homeland Security. “I mean, what’s so special about an ICE law enforcement agency that they have to wear a mask?”

But Republicans appear unlikely to agree.

“Unlike your local law enforcement in your hometown, ICE agents are being doxed and targeted. We have evidence of that,” Johnson said on Tuesday. He added that if you “unmask them and you put all their identifying information on their uniform, they will obviously be targeted.”

Immigration officers are already required to identify themselves “as soon as it is practical and safe to do so,” according to federal regulations. ICE officials insist those rules are being followed.

Critics, however, question how closely officers adhere to the regulations.

“We just see routinely that that’s not happening,” said Nithya Nathan Pineau, a policy attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

Judicial vs. administrative warrants

Democrats have also demanded stricter use of judicial warrants and an end to roving patrols of agents who are targeting people in the streets and in their homes. Schumer said Tuesday that they want “arrest warrants and an end to racial profiling.”

Most immigration arrests are carried out under administrative warrants, internal documents issued by immigration authorities that authorize the arrest of a specific person but do not permit officers to forcibly enter private homes or other non-public spaces without consent. Traditionally, only warrants signed by judges carry that authority.

But an internal ICE memo obtained by The Associated Press last month authorizes ICE officers to use force to enter a residence based solely on a more narrow administrative warrant to arrest someone with a final order of removal, a move that advocates say collides with Fourth Amendment protections.

Democrats have not made clear how broadly they want judicial warrants used. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said that Democrats want to see “an end to the targeting of sensitive locations like houses of worship, schools and hospitals.”

Johnson said Tuesday that Democrats are trying to “add an entirely new layer” by seeking warrants signed by a judge rather than the administrative warrants that are signed by the department. “We can’t do that,” he said.

The speaker has said that an end to roving patrols is a potential area of agreement, but he did not give details.

Code of conduct and more accountability

Democrats have also called for a uniform code of conduct for all ICE and federal agents similar to that for state and local law enforcement officers.

Federal officials blocked state investigators from accessing evidence after protester Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 7. Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, demanded that the state be allowed to take part, saying that it would be “very difficult for Minnesotans” to accept that an investigation excluding the state could be fair.

Hoping for a miracle

Any deal Democrats strike on the Department of Homeland Security is unlikely to satisfy everyone in the party. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts said she would never support an agreement that didn’t require unmasking.

“I ran for Congress in 2018 on abolish ICE,” Pressley said. “My position has not changed.”

Thune, of South Dakota, has repeatedly said it’s an “impossibility” to negotiate and pass something so complicated in two weeks. He said any talks should be between Democrats and Trump.

“I don’t think it’s very realistic,” Thune said Tuesday about finding quick agreement. “But there’s always miracles, right?”

___

Associated Press writer Rebecca Santana contributed to this report.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics in November 2025 revealed 5.4 million over-16s in the UK were using e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally, eclipsing the 4.9 million tobacco smokers.

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Vaping has surged in popularity in Scotland and across the UK in recent years. Last year it was reported the number of people using e-cigarettes in the UK exceeded those smoking traditional cigarettes for the first time.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics in November 2025 revealed 5.4 million over-16s in the UK were using e-cigarettes either daily or occasionally, eclipsing the 4.9 million tobacco smokers. The most dramatic decline in smoking was among young adults, plummeting from 25.7 per cent in 2011 to just 8.1 per cent in 2024.

Whilst vaping poses fewer dangers than traditional cigarettes, it’s not without health concerns. Research published last year indicated that e-cigarette users face up to a third higher risk of experiencing a stroke.

American TV psychiatrist Dr Daniel Amen has shared his approach to helping patients quit vaping permanently. Speaking in a TikTok video to his audience of more than 3.5 million followers, he explained: “One: you have to know it’s a problem. Two: just start noticing how often you’re doing it.

“Like, count, and if you want a soft withdrawal, just decrease it by like five per cent every day. It can be super simple.

“Or there’s a supplement I like called N-acetyl cysteine, 1200mg twice a day has been found to decrease cravings for a lot of different addictions. Many of my patients find that helpful.”

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can be purchased without prescription from chemists and wellness retailers”, reports the Mirror. It’s chiefly employed to tackle paracetamol poisoning, alongside treating conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

The NHS has warned that, while vaping may assist smokers in kicking the habit, the dangers linked to prolonged usage remain uncertain due to insufficient long-term research. “While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is unlikely to be totally harmless,” it said.

“Children and non-smokers should never vape. The healthiest option is not to smoke or vape. So, if you are vaping to quit smoking, you should aim to eventually stop vaping too.”

It adds: “Evidence shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking. Vaping exposes users to fewer toxins and at lower levels than smoking cigarettes.

“Switching to vaping reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke. However, vaping is not risk-free. Non-smokers and young people under 18 should not take up vaping.”

However, researchers have voiced significant worries regarding the possible hazards of electronic cigarettes, particularly for younger people. At a conference in Madrid last year, Prof Maja-Lisa Løchen, cardiology expert at the University Hospital of North Norway, warned: “We’re worried about e-cigarettes becoming a new tobacco epidemic.

“I worry that vaping may be causing irreversible harm to children’s brains and hearts. Of course we have to wait for long-term data, but I am absolutely concerned. Vaping increases your blood pressure, your heart rate, and we know that the arteries become more stiff. It could be even more harmful in children.”

Since 2015, Scottish law has prohibited the sale of e-cigarettes to anyone under 18, and it’s also illegal for adults to buy them on behalf of youngsters. Smoking remains the biggest preventable killer in Britain, claiming more than 70,000 lives annually.

On the Mandelson scandal, Mr Streeting told Sky News: “I suspect that not just my colleagues in this Government, but people down the generations, whether in Labour governments, Conservative governments, coalition governments, have all experienced that same sensation of our jaws hitting the floor.

Darren Pattie, from Poppleton, shared his story with poet Simon Armitage who said he was “very moved” by the experience.

Simon, who was appointed poet laureate by Queen Elizabeth in 2019, was asked to pen the poem by Yorkshire Cancer Research for World Cancer Day on Tuesday (February 4).

The poem, titled The Campaign, uses the stories of 17 people affected by cancer from Yorkshire to highlight a century of progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, while acknowledging the work still needed to create a cancer-free future in the county.

Its release comes after people from across Yorkshire united for the cancer charity’s White Rose campaign, calling on the government to address the region’s long-standing cancer inequalities in its upcoming National Cancer Plan.

Darren was among the more than 2,700 people across Yorkshire to sign up to the campaign and send a white rose, the region’s emblem, to London last summer.

The 59-year-old underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds for a rare blood cancer.

His wife, Sarah, travelled to Manchester for treatment for her own rare neuroendocrine tumours.

“There are serious imbalances in access to cancer treatment across our region,” Darren said. “I feel lucky I was able to travel for mine, but because Yorkshire has many large remote areas, not everyone is able to benefit from the treatment they need.”

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Simon said it was “saddening to hear experiences of illness and bereavement” when he met with the people who shaped the poem at the Yorkshire Cancer Research Centre in Harrogate.

“I felt very moved by their experiences,” the poet said. “It was also a privilege to listen to testimonies of determination, resilience and hope, and to learn about how Yorkshire Cancer Research has given people a positive focus in their lives.” 

He said the poem “ran with the idea of cancer as an ‘enemy’ that must be tackled through ingenuity, decades of research and painstaking discovery”. “Cancer is also a dragon in the mind, demanding a certain bloody-mindedness – a true Yorkshire characteristic – to overcome this shadow and threat to our daily lives,” said Simon, from Huddersfield.

Poet laureate Simon Armitage with Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research (Image: Yorkshire Cancer Research)

Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said it was a “privilege” to work with the poet laureate.

“Simon’s words capture the spirit of Yorkshire – its resilience, generosity and determination – and gives voice to a century of breakthroughs driven by people in our region, whose efforts have saved countless lives around the world,” Kathryn said. 

“As we look to the future, the poem serves as a powerful reminder of why the charity began this mission and why we must keep moving forward to bring more cancer cures to Yorkshire. Together, we will continue to make great progress toward a Yorkshire free from cancer.”

For more information about poet laureate Simon Armitage’s The Campaign, visit: https://www.ycr.org.uk/TheCampaign